LONDON -- Allison Schmitt of the United States set an Olympic record to win the 200-meter freestyle at the London Games on Tuesday.

Schmitt won with a dominating performance, and Olympic record of 1:53.61, that left everyone else, including teammate Missy Franklin, battling for the other medals.

France’s Camille Muffat took silver in 1:55.58, almost a body length behind, while Bronte Barrett of Australia took the bronze over Franklin by a thousandth of a second. Barrett touched in 1:55.81. Franklin, who led after the first 50, was fourth in 1:55.82.

‘‘I was just racing,’’ said Schmitt, who is quietly becoming one of the stars of the pool. ‘‘I knew I had to kick it. I just look at that scoreboard and see 53 and first place. I couldn’t be happier.’’

She captured her first career gold medal, to go along with a silver in the 400 free and a bronze in the 4x100 free relay.

The 17-year-old Franklin was denied her third medal of the games, one night after her gutsy victory in the 100 backstroke earned her a tweet-out from pop star Justin Bieber.

‘‘I was trying to do the best that I can,’’ said Franklin, who still has four more events in London. ‘‘I was in an incredible heat. I really wanted to go best time.’’

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